Annabelle Mae’s Pink and Blue Baby Girl Nursery

I am so happy to be finally showing off Annabelle’s nursery! It’s rare that I have a room in the house that is a total blank slate as was the case here. As soon as we found out we were having a girl I knew I wanted to decorate the room in pink with pink furniture and a pink nursery wallpapers. I’ve never been a big fan of pink – I have always tended to stick with red and blue more in my decorating – but for a little girl I wanted something super sweet and girly a la the nursery in Father of the Bride Part II. Plus, when else in my life will I have the opportunity to decorate a room in pink?!

Annabelle’s nursery is now my favorite room in the house. Every night in my third trimester I’d go sit in her room and rock and talk to her and tell her about what all we’d do when she was a baby in the world. Now that she’s here, we also spend quality time in her room. Even though she isn’t sleeping there yet, I love to hang with Annie in her room and play with her, rock her and change her diaper there.

Here are the details on the room design, the sources and some background on how I chose everything! Enjoy!

The Room

When we moved in to our house this room was sort of an overflow room for all our furniture, my crafts and clothing, and other items that didn’t have a home. Eventually, we hosted a garage sale and gutted most of the contents of the room, so I set up a small desk so it became my unofficial craft room.

Here are a few “before” photos of the room:

As you can see, the room was a total hodge podge of leftover furniture! Plus it had an 80’s fabulous vinyl poofy valance left over from the home’s previous owner. So cute.

The Bedding

After spending countless hours of my first and second trimesters on Pinterest searching for inspiration, I finally started to make some choices. The easiest part for me was choosing the bedding. After scoping out all the baby bedding options, I fell in love with the Belgian Flax Linen Nursery Bedding from Pottery Barn Kids. The pink was the perfect color and the fabric was just so soft.

Also, it wasn’t cheesy. So many of the baby bedding options I found were just so hokey. I wanted a more sophisticated look and the linen was luxurious and the pink sweet – the perfect combination!

I know crib bumpers are a hotly debated issue, but I ended up putting them on my registry per the advice of some friends. I don’t have the bumpers in the pictures because we took them out so Annabelle can sleep safely in her crib until she gets a lot older.

I also registered for some coordinating pillow shams and the toddler quilt. I am well aware that you aren’t supposed to put pillows or loose blankets in the crib with the baby. But I was thinking long term to her toddler bed. What surprised me is how much I use those things now!

I use the quilt to cover up with when I’m cold and nursing at our 4 am feeding. I also use the pillows to support my breast feeding pillow while nursing. So I’ve already got a ton of use out of these things; they aren’t purely decorative.

Side note: I got the pillow shams and quilt monogrammed with Annie’s initials at Pottery Barn Kids. It costs $10 per item there and they (smartly) make sure they have more in stock just in case they mess up. I was really pleased with how they turned out and you can’t beat the price (at least in Austin!).

The Crib

While finding bedding was easy, a crib was another story. When looking for a crib I wanted something that was classic and clean. I knew I wanted a white crib, and really liked the Jenny Lind style. I also liked the idea of an iron crib because a lot of the wooden ones that were painted white looked well, just a little cheap and plastic-y. Lastly, I wanted something that would grow with Annie, so I wanted something that converted into a toddler bed.

After lots of online research, reading reviews online, manufacturer reviews in my Baby Bargain book, and shopping cribs in person at Buy Buy Baby, Babies R Us, etc. I settled on the Franklin & Ben Abigail 3-in-1 Convertible Crib in Washed White. My mom bought us our crib on Amazon and it arrived in two days! (Gotta love Prime!) It was easy to assemble; in fact, I did most of it myself at 20 weeks pregnant. I love the look and the quality — especially for the price!

The Chair

After the crib, the next big purchase I focused my attention on was the chair. I had been told by several friends that a rocker was a key piece of any nursery and that comfort was key. I browsed through literally hundreds of chairs online at Wayfair, Target, Buy Buy Baby and Pinterest, reading reviews and trying to find a good deal.

I had heard from friends that a recliner was the way to go, so that narrowed my choices a bit. Also, I wanted something that would not be too big for my space but also big enough for my husband to sit in it comfortably.

When it came down to it I just couldn’t purchase a chair that I had not sat in, so online was not the route for me. One day I finally made a decision after visiting my sister-in-law, McCall’s house. Both my husband and I sat in hers, a Tryp Recliner by Best Chairs, and decided it was a winner. So I took my mom to BuyBuy Baby – where McCall had purchased hers.

There are hundreds of fabric choices. My mom and I agreed that the Burlap fabric would work well in my space and be easiest to clean. (Their fabrics all have clean-ability ratings.) I also purchased the protection package which I can use to get the chair recovered should it get stained for any reason and the stain can’t be removed. The Burlap was an “upgraded” fabric, but it only cost $20 more. I used a 20% off coupon to score an even better deal.

One tip I learned: Order early. Custom chairs can take 6 to 10 weeks to come in so definitely make sure to order before your third trimester!

I am pretty short – 5′ 2″ and when I sit all the way back in the chair my feet barely touch the ground. So to make better use of the gliding feature I purchased Faux Leather Gold Pouf from Land of Nod. It’s lightweight and easy to kick around and makes it easier for me to glide/rock when I’m sitting in the chair.

Ultimately, I am VERY pleased with my choice of chairs. The chair is super comfortable, glides and reclines. I have actually slept in it a few nights (as you will do when you have a newborn!) and got some good rest. I have already spilled coffee on it, but it cleaned up nicely,

I also knew it would be important to have a little table beside my recliner. I highly recommend this. It’s nice to have things like water, lanolin and a snack within reach since you’re pretty limited at first when breastfeeding.

The little table came from The Caring Place – a Goodwill type store in Georgetown. I’ve had it for years. It’s been a variety of colors, most recently black, but my mom painted it pink for Annie’s nursery. We added a Gold Metal Arrow Handle from Hobby Lobby to finish it off.

The lamp is Pillowfort for Target. Not only is it cute, but it turns on and off with just a touch of the base. It’s super convenient for a nursery because you’ll have your hands full a lot of the time!

The blue and white tray was a gift from a dear friend who knew the color scheme of our nursery. It fits in so perfect!

The Changing Table

One of the first things I purchased for Annie’s nursery was a two-dresser set I found on Craigslist. I wanted something feminine and love french style furniture so when I spotted this set, I jumped on it right away. The sweetest couple sold it to us who had used it in their daughter’s nursery over 20 years ago.

The tall one I use for storage and this short one I use for our changing table. The dressers were already painted this pretty white color so all I had to do was spray paint the hardware gold to match the room. I LOVE having plenty of drawers to store all of Annie’s clothing and linens.

For the changing pad, I had my mom sew a custom cover in Blue Brushstroke Fabric that I found on Spoonflower.com that matches the prints hanging above the crib.

The mirror above the table I found at HomeGoods. Annie loves the mirror and loves looking at herself when I change her diaper.

Walls & Windows

The artwork in the room was something I debated a lot. I considered having custom artwork created, but ultimately decided to make art a place where I’d save money. I found the art prints that hang above the crib on Etsy. I printed them at my office and framed them in brass frames from Target.

In a room full of pretty traditional furniture, I love that these abstract prints and sleek frames bring a modern flair to the room.

Above the chest of drawers I framed a print that my friend Meredith had made for my baby shower in a coordinating frame from Target. I love this verse and that this sweet print was a gift.

Above the recliner I hunt a wooden cut out of Annabelle’s name that my sister had made for my baby shower. She designed it herself and had it cut out of wood using the custom cutting services at Make ATX in Austin, Texas. She had painted the wood gold to coordinate with the shower theme, and it worked perfectly with the nursery so I left it and mounted it to the wall with command strips. The nursery pink wallpaper is also a great backdrop there.

For the curtains, I opted for a blackout curtain on the advice of friends. (I totally recommend blackout curtains for a nursery. After the baby came we went out and bought blackout curtains for our room too!) I just loved the french pleat curtains that coordinated with our Pottery Barn bedding.

The Details

Once I got the rest of the room in places the details just sort of fell together. I found accessories at all my favorite home stores – Pottery Barn, Home Goods, TJ Maxx and Tuesday Morning.

My friends Callie and Kristina found a kids book version of Pride and Prejudice – my favorite book!

I found this woven wall hanging at TJ Maxx. It does a wonderful job of covering up an outdated home intercom system that is a legacy from our 80’s built home.

Though I thought my husband was going to punch a hole in the wall trying to get them installed, I love how these corner shelves I bought at Home Depot turned out!

Lastly, one of my favorite parts of the room is the DIY Fabric Scrap and Ribbon Mobile I made. See the full tutorial on how to make one for yourself here.

All in all, I am SO happy with how Annie’s room turned out. Below is a list of all the sources. If I left anything out or if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below!

Sources

Linens

• Bumper, Crib Skirt, Quilt, Shams – Pottery Barn Kids, Belgian Flax Linen Nursery Bedding, Pink
• Pillow – Pottery Barn Kids, Organic Pom Pom Nursery Sham
• Crib Sheet – Pottery Barn Kids, Chamois Pin Dot Crib Fitted Sheet
• Changing Pad Cover – Spoonflower, Blue Brushstroke Fabric

Furniture

• Changing Table & Dresser Set – Craigslist (hardware spray painted with Rustoleum Metallic Gold Spray Paint
• End Table – Caring Place find with Hobby Lobby Gold Metal Arrow Handle
• Recliner – BuyBuy Baby, Storytime Tryp Gliding Recliner in Burlap Fabric
• Drawer Liner – Con-Tact Brand® Grip Prints™ Non-Adhesive Shelf Liner – Batik Taupe
• Diaper Pail – Amazon, Ubbi Diaper Pail  (not pictured)
• Kid Chair – My First Anywhere Chair® – Light Pink Belgian Flax Linen (not pictured)

Wall & Windows

• Curtains – Pottery Barn Kids, Linen Blend French Pleat Blackout Panel
• Curtain Rod – Amazon, Meriville 1-Inch Diameter Wraparound Blackout Curtain Rod, 48-Inch to 84-Inch, Gold Finish
• Frames above Crib – Target, Metal Frame – Brass – 16×20 Matted for 11×14 Photo – Room Essentials™
• Art Prints above Crib – Etsy, Set of 2 Abstract Watercolor Prints Blue Dots Dashes Brushstrokes Pink Minimal Minimalist Painting Large Printable Posters Scandinavian Boho
• For this Child I have Prayed, Samuel Print – Gift, Similar on Etsy
• For this Child Frame – Brass Wall Frame – 14″ x 18″ Matted for 8″ x 10″ Photo – Room Essentials™
• Gold Mirror – Home Goods
• DIY Scrap Fabric & Ribbon Mobile
• Corner Shelves – Home Depot, Home Decorators Collection White Corner Shelves 
• Gold Annabelle Mae Cut-Out – Designed by my sister, ordered using Custom Cutting services at Make ATX in Austin, Texas

Lighting & Accessories

• White Lamp – Target, Glass Ball Table Lamp with Touch On/Off (Includes CFL bulb) – Pillowfort™
• Pink Lamp – HomeGoods, Similar: Rose Pink Double Gourd Table Lamp
• Gold Pouf – Land of Nod, Faux Leather Gold Pouf
• Sheepskin Rug – Vintage, inherited from my Grandma Darla, Similar: Ren Sheepskin at Ikea
• Blue & White Accessories – A, Bird, Chinoiserie Tray, were gifts
• Blue & White Canister – Pottery Barn, Elsie Canister
• Gold Frame – Pedestal 4″x6″ Brass Frame – Room Essentials™
• Rose Pulls on Closet Doors – HomeGoods (not pictured)
• Arrow Headband Hanger – HomeGoods, Similar on Jet.com  (not pictured)

Paint

!Update! I’ve had some requests for the paint colors in the room. They are listed below!

• Walls – Gobi Desert by Behr
• Trim – Dover White by Sherwin Williams

Photos by: Kelly Leeves, Captivating Life